Taylor's Season Ends in NAIA Round of 16

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Taylor's postseason run at the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship ended Monday at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex, after the 16th-seeded Trojans (14-3-3) fell 2-0 against top overall seed Marian (20-0-2) in the Round of 16 clash and second meeting between the Crossroads League rivals this season.

TU started strong defensively to thwart early possession chances for the Knights, as senior goalkeeper Brianna Rawlings logged five saves by halftime. Rawlings had several highlight-reel stops in the opening stanza and finished her final game as a Trojan with a season-high seven saves.

In the 27th minute, TU organized on the attacking end following Morgan Fletemeyer's long-range shot attempt on goal, which led to a corner kick opportunity – TU's lone corner chance of the match.

Kiana Siefert delivered the cross to a great spot where Libby Thomas connected on a header try, but the attempt was cleared from the middle of the box by Marian defenders.

Shortly before the halftime stoppage, Marian broke through with the go-ahead goal in the 39th minute when Allie Tredway dribbled to space and looped a high arching shot from 25 yards over the outstretched hand of Rawlings. It was TU's first goal surrendered to Marian, one of the top scoring teams in the nation, in over two years (September 30, 2023).

Marian claimed a 10-2 shot advantage at halftime, before the attempts leveled out in the second period with five shots recorded for both sides. Siefert and Leah McQuade tallied shot opportunities near the 50th minute, with Sydney Reddy putting pressure on near the end of the match. Reddy, Fletemeyer and Lydia Johnson each put a shot attempt on goal.

The Knights, however, rode the momentum from the late goal in the first half and opened the second frame with another strike from Tredway, who volleyed a fortunate rebound for her second goal of the match and ninth of the season, near the 48-minute mark.

Marian finished the match with a 15-7 shot advantage and 9-3 in shots on goal. MU goalkeeper Lily Ames registered three saves.

Following the program's first appearance at the national championship final site, TU closes the book on a historic campaign that equaled the team single-season record in wins (14-3-3) and set a new single-season record with 12 shutouts. A program-record six individuals were honored as All-Crossroads League selections.

Additionally, TU scored the most goals in single-season team history (52) since 2012 – tying the second-highest mark during the Scott Stan era. The Trojans also produced the second-highest goal differential (43) and conceded the fewest goals (9) since at least the 2008 season.

TU seniors Morgan Fletemeyer, Kiana Siefert, Brianna Rawlings, Brooke Cimini, Libby Thomas, Evie Kerr and Shalyn Hussey end their careers with an overall combined record of 44-17-14 (.680) and two national tournament appearances.